Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews: Taming Ryder by Nicola Haken

You met Ryder Richardson in Being Sawyer Knight. Now, this is his story.

I’ve done it. I’ve stuck a whopping two fingers up at my parents, I’ve made a name for myself as one of the world’s biggest porn stars and I’ve finally found a family I belong in.

Life is amazing. I get paid to do all my favourite things. Fuck. Party. Travel the world. What’s not to love?

And then he comes along. Mason George – Back Door Studio’s newest exclusive model and the guy who has the potential to either fuck it all up, or take me on the best ride of my life.

~ Ryder

I’m desperate. I’ve got nothing and nobody left. Entering the daunting world of adult entertainment is less of a dream and more of a necessity. Signing as Back Door Studio’s latest model has the ability to either ruin or make me, but I made a vow at my first audition never to let myself regret it.

I continue to question myself each day, but no amount of whats, whys or what ifs will change where I am or where I’m heading. Am I strong enough to do this? To embrace it? To enjoy it? I have no idea.

The only thing I’m certain of, is that if anyone can teach me who I’m supposed to be, it’s Ryder Richardson.

~ Mason

“Because the most exciting things in life always happen via the back door”

My Review ~

We originally met Ryder in Being Sawyer Knight, he was a walk on the wild side with a touch of the lonely young man he constantly hid from everyone. He worked as a stylist for Elle who introduced him to Sawyer and Jake. Elle also happens to be his best friend, his biggest cheerleader, and very much a big sister figure to Ryder.

Picking up with Ryder in his story, he's no longer working with Elle and is now living in California working as a porn star. In fact he's one of the most popular stars at Back Door Studio. However being a porn star isn't what defines Ryder. He's been shaped by his past experiences into someone that stays away from relationships, other than with Elle, Sawyer, and Jake. That is until sweet, sexy Mason George shows up at an open audition for new talent for Back Door Studio. Ryder sees something in him that calls to him, yet scares the living hell out of him.

Mason, on the other hand, it just trying to survive after his life kind of fell apart. The open audition was more a matter of needing money over having a real desire to work as a porn star. Ryder ends up letting Mason stay with him in his spare bedroom, and they end up becoming friends in an odd way. Mason is very attracted to Ryder, almost from the moment they meet. Ryder on the other hand, absolutely runs the other way the moment he has an inkling of a feeling for Mason.

The relationship between the two of them develops slowly but not without many bumps, bruises and hurt feelings. Ryder's been very damaged by his past, and once we hear what happened to him...well it's very understandable why he's the way he is. No young person should have to go through what he did, and to find out all the circumstances around it.. Well let's just say Ryder is a very strong young man.

This story was a very hot, but also a very emotional story for Ryder and Mason. Not just the relationship aspect, which was really well written, but the backstory for Ryder, which will literally tear your heart to pieces. While I loved Being Sawyer Knight, there was something more to Taming Ryder that made me love this story even more. I went into this story thinking it would be a quick yet sexy read. Taming Ryder ended up being one of my favorite books for the year.

Nicola Haken has quickly moved onto my list of must read authors, especially with this book. She tells an excellent, well-crafted, very emotionally charged story. Her characters are well written, and have interesting back stories and addicting current tales. I look forward to many more books it the M/M romance genre from this author. I highly recommend Taming Ryder for all of you ladies out there that love the Cocky Boys, and those of you that enjoy a well written story with two very sexy,yet adorable young men finding their way.

“Say you’ll go on a date with me?”

“A date? Me?” An involuntary smile crept onto my face at the ridiculous notion. “That’s never going to happen, Mase. I don’t date. Ever.”

“Why? Why won’t you let anyone in?”

“Oh come on, that’s taking things a bit far.”

“How so? I’m interested to know why you won’t date, why you won’t let anyone get close to you.”

“I never said I wouldn’t let anyone get close to me. You’re making this out to be far more serious than it is.”

“Then go on a date with me.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to be tied down. I like the life I have and I’m not going to fuck it up by having to justify myself to someone else.”

“Justify what? I’m not a stranger. I know who you are and what you do. Your life would still be the same.”

“It wouldn’t. Relationships are so…serious. Complicated. People expect trust, and monogamy, and for you to share shit. I haven’t got time for that.”

“Stop referring to me as ‘people’. I’m not ‘people’, I’m me. Of course I want you to share shit, how else am I supposed to get to know you? As for monogamy, I assume you’re referring to porn. In which case, I’m a porn model too, Ry. I might not have chosen it for the same reasons as you but I still get it. It’s a job. A job I’d never ask or expect you to quit. What you do on camera isn’t what you shared with me that night here, and I know you know that as well as I do. And trust? That needs to be earned. I’m asking for a date, Ryder. Not marriage.”

I let out a long breath in the form of a deep, confused sigh. Much to my surprise, I was almost considering the idea, until his hand that was still on my leg squeezed my knee gently and my heart leapt into my throat. I couldn’t control it. I couldn’t control the way my pulse raced or my dick swelled when he touched me and I hated that. I swore no one would ever have control over me and so I wasn’t about to give it to Mason.

“I said no,” I snapped firmly. “And I also think it’s time you looked for your own place.”

Mason’s back abruptly stiffened. His face paled and his jaw dropped slightly open.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll look into it tomorrow.”

“It is what I want. This was only supposed to be temporary, remember?”

“Sure,” he nodded, his voice wavering. “I’m sorry I’ve upset you,” he added, standing from the chair. My lips parted to say something, but when I realised I didn’t have a fucking clue what I should say, they closed again. Mason gave me one last glance, his eyebrows narrowing as if he were in pain. Then he nodded once and turned for his room, leaving me alone with tears stinging the back of my eyes and my fist itching to punch myself in my worthless fucking face.

Fuck.

Author of the New Adult/Contemporary novels Missing Pieces, Saving Amy and the Take My Hand series, and m/m erotic romance Souls of the Knight series.

I live in Rochdale, England with my wonderful family and when I'm not playing with my imaginary friends I can usually be found looking after my four adorable (sometimes!) children (six if you include the dogs, seven if you include the hubby!) or stalking gay porn stars! All in all I'm just an ordinary mum with an addiction to reading about hot book guys, writing about hot book guys, tattoos and Pepsi Max! Oh, and if my kids ever ask... I moonlight as the Pink Power Ranger ;-)